Ranty McRant
Today I was gleefully eating my lunch, ie. undigestible, unidentifiable mush in the cafeteria, happily listening to my Slashcast, when I was accosted by Campus for Christ. What particularly annoyed me was the way they started up the conversation, with absolutely no preamble, no "how are classes" or anything - I know one of the girls from Con Ed class, so I thought it was nice if a little unusual for her to ask if she and her friend could sit down with me. It's definitely disconcerting, thus, to find out that people have a set agenda in talking to you, as opposed to conversing with you for the simple joy of your company. 

It started innocuously; she introduced her friend and said they were "going around today talking to people about what our club does, and about spirituality." They did not do this, but rather started questioning me. Frankly, if the conversation doesn't develop naturally onto the topic, I think it's quite intrusuive to force it. Furthermore, it's impolite to continue to do so when the person you're talking to politely expresses disinterest. You'd think they'd give up when you say you're an atheist, always have been and always will be, but no. I was excruciatingly careful about what I said, because we're such a small faculty and chances are good I'll be seeing quite a bit of her and working with her, so relations need to be on good terms. Not that I'd ever want to risk offending anyone, as people who know me undoubtedly know. Anyway, I attempted to gently change the subject and lighten the heavily awkward mood, commenting on the teach sweaters we're getting for when we're organizing frosh week next year - I commented on aptness of the slogan "Teaches Educ-EIGHT in B. Ed" to which she sniffed haughtily and replied, "oh, I could NEVER wear that, it's against my MORALS," (as if I don't have any morals?) "ESPESCIALLY not in front of my parents, they're very conservative, they're CHRISTIANS." A whole world of wtf-ery right there. It seems quite self-righteous, a subtle little prod of holier-than-thou-ness. Am I being too controversial in thinking this? It just makes me angry - no, not even angry, more frustrated and disappointed - that, despite the fact that I'd have quite liked to strike up a respectful and intellectual conversation, even debate, on the topic, there's just no point bashing your head against a brick wall. I prefer to have a wide variety of opinions represented in my friends, acquantances, and casual conversations; it's refreshing, but it just ceases to be productive when people are dogmatic.